The legislature finds that:

1. The scientific evidence of groundwater contamination is mounting;

2. Such contamination, once it occurs, is often irreversible;

3. Within this area subject to sole source aquifer designation, due to their particular rate of recharge and associated hydrogeological conditions, certain groundwater recharge watershed areas are particularly critical for the maintenance of large volumes of high quality groundwater for long periods of time;

4. In the face of mounting cases of groundwater contamination from toxic organic compounds, nutrients, salts and other pollutants, the state needs a program for the designation, protection and management of special groundwater protection areas;

5. It is desirable to maintain natural vegetative and hydrogeologic conditions in special groundwater protection areas;

6. Prevention of the contamination of high quality groundwater and the protection of special groundwater protection areas costs substantially less than measures to mitigate harm following contamination; and

7. There is a demonstrated need to protect, preserve and enhance the land and water resources of special groundwater protection areas through a new program which combines the capabilities and resources of the local, state and federal governments and the private sector.

8. Some of the nonpoint source control strategies developed for the special groundwater protection areas can be used to minimize further contamination in developed deep aquifer recharge areas.